Paulinho and Yerry Mina are the two non-EU players alongside Coutinho in the current quota. The Egyptian international has been a huge success since arriving on Merseyside from AS Roma in the summer, already finding the back of the net 30 times for Jürgen Klopp's side. Far from it. Twice the wrong option was taken when a presentable chance was one correct decision away, and Porto should have scored at least once.

For all that Klopp has set up to make sense, the puzzle will need to be completed soon. Wednesday's attacking display was the rule, not exception.

Salah has been Liverpool's main man this season hitting 22 Premier League goals in 26 games

The report also suggests that Stamford Bridge was discussed as a potential venue for the fixture.

Firmino scored six goals in the Champions League group stages as Liverpool topped Group E and hopes he can add to his tally at the Estadio do Dragao and prove he is among the best strikers on the continent.

These struggles magnified the midfield void created by Coutinho's departure; but it also made clear quite why the Merseyside Reds were so keen to bring forward the arrival of midfielder Naby Keita.

It took six seconds. Now we will face each other and we'll soon see which is better. Counter-attacks were not launched at every opportunity but executed clinically.

Porto are an excellent team with good tradition in the Champions League. The draws against Spartak Moscow and Sevilla seemed more instructive.